DMK patriarch M Karunanidhi - five-time Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu - died at a hospital in Chennai this evening. On Twitter, the 94-year-old leader has been mourned by prominent personalities from all walks of life. Megastar Rajinikanth, who is all set to launch his very own political party in Tamil Nadu, mourned M Karunanidhi with a heart-wrenching tweet which reads: "Today is a black day in my life, one which I can never forget as I lost my Kalaignar. I pray for his soul." Actors like Dhanush, Riteish Deshmukh and Siddharth have also tweeted their condolences after the veteran leader's death on Tuesday.
என்னுடைய கலைஞர் மறைந்த இந்த நாள் என் வாழ்நாளில் நான் மறக்க முடியாத ஒரு கருப்பு நாள்.
— Rajinikanth (@rajinikanth) August 7, 2018
அவருடைய ஆன்மா சாந்தி அடையட்டும்
Rajinikanth's son-in-law Dhanush paid his tribute to Karunanidhi the artist, the actor. He said Karunanidhi, with his film Parasakthi, broke open doors for artists who were beyond stereotypes.
வஞ்சிக்கப்பட்ட தமிழனை,சுயமரியாதை சூரியனால் சுட்டெரித்து புடம் போட்ட தங்கமாக மாற்றிய கலைச்சூரியனே!
— Dhanush (@dhanushkraja) August 7, 2018
பராசக்தி மூலமாக அரசியல் அறியவைத்து , எங்களைப்போன்ற பாமர்களுக்கும் திரைத்துறையின் கதவை எட்டி உதைத்து திறந்து வைத்த கலைஞரே!
உங்களை கண்ணீரோடு வழியனுப்பி வணங்குகின்றோம்!
Riteish Deshmukh's tweet arrived just moments after Rajinikanth's, who wrote: "Today India has lost one of its tallest leaders. Deeply saddened by the passing away of Kalaignar Karunanidhi ji. Deepest condolences to the family and loved ones His contribution to the state of Tamil Nadu, its people has been immense. True Champion of Tamil pride. RIP Sir."
Today India has lost one of its tallest leaders. Deeply saddened by the passing away of Kalaignar Karunanidhi ji. Deepest condolences to the family and loved ones His contribution to the state of Tamil Nadu, its people has been immense. True Champion of Tamil pride. RIP Sir.
— Riteish Deshmukh (@Riteishd) August 7, 2018
"The Last Tamil Titan has fallen. Former TN CM M Karunanidhi was an incomparable man. Tamil Nadu has lost at once its greatest contemporary political and creative enigma. Our beautiful language Tamil will miss Kalaignar Karunanidhi This void he has left will take ages to fill," wrote Siddharth.
The Last #Tamil Titan has fallen. Former TN CM #MKarunanidhi was an incomparable man. #TamilNadu has lost at once its greatest contemporary political and creative enigma. Our beautiful language #Tamil will miss #Kalaignar #Karunanidhi This void he has left will take ages to fill.
— Siddharth (@Actor_Siddharth) August 7, 2018
Actress Richa Chadha also tweeted:
#RIP @kalaignar89 #Karunanidhi
— TheRichaChadha (@RichaChadha) August 7, 2018
Actress Samantha Ruth Prabhu tweeted to say: "The end of an era," she said.
#RIPKalaignar The end of an era !! Over 6 decades . Did the impossible . Will forever be remembered . pic.twitter.com/XgUhnZlNfw
— Samantha Akkineni (@Samanthaprabhu2) August 7, 2018
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also mourned M Karunanidhi's death in a series of Tweets and remembered him as "a deep-rooted mass leader, prolific thinker, accomplished writer and a stalwart devoted to the welfare of the poor."
Deeply saddened by the passing away of Kalaignar Karunanidhi. He was one of the senior most leaders of India.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 7, 2018
We have lost a deep-rooted mass leader, prolific thinker, accomplished writer and a stalwart whose life was devoted to the welfare of the poor and the marginalised. pic.twitter.com/jOZ3BOIZMj
Kalaignar Karunanidhi stood for regional aspirations as well as national progress. He was steadfastly committed to the welfare of Tamils and ensured that Tamil Nadu's voice was effectively heard. pic.twitter.com/l7ypa1HJNC
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 7, 2018
I have had the opportunity of interacting with Karunanidhi Ji on several occasions. His understanding of policy and emphasis on social welfare stood out. Firmly committed to democratic ideals, his strong opposition to the Emergency will always be remembered. pic.twitter.com/cbMiMPRy7l
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 7, 2018
My thoughts are with the family and the countless supporters of Karunanidhi Ji in this hour of grief. India and particularly Tamil Nadu will miss him immensely. May his soul rest in peace. pic.twitter.com/7ZZQi9VEkm
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 7, 2018
President Of India Ram Nath Kovind also mourned M Karunanidhi's death on Twitter:
Extremely sad to learn of the passing of Thiru M. Karunanidhi. A doyen of our public life, as a contributor to the development of Tamil Nadu and of India he has few peers. Our country is poorer today. My condolences to his family and millions of well-wishers #PresidentKovind
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) August 7, 2018
M Karunanidhi dominated Tamil Nadu's politics for six decades along with arch-rivals MG Ramachandran and later, J Jayalalithaa. M Karunanidhi was admitted to Chennai's Kauvery Hospital, which announced that the leader died this evening at 6:10 pm. He was admitted to the hospital on July 28 after he contracted urinary tract infection and developed a high fever. Tamil Nadu government announced that schools and colleges will be shut on Wednesday along with a seven-day state mourning in the wake of M Karunanidhi's death.
